Master prompt
Dependent Child Visa — under 25 dependency demonstration
Dependent child of NZ citizen / resident parent. Age + financial / emotional dependency + single-status test under F2.
New ZealandFamilyDependent ChildF2Under 25
Dependent Child Visa under Operational Manual F2 (residence) and dependent child temporary entry policies permits children of NZ citizens / residents to join their parent.
Age-banded dependency definition (F2.10):
• Under 18: presumed dependent
• 18-20: must be single (no partner / spouse), no dependent children of own, AND totally or substantially reliant on parent for financial support
• 21-24: must be single, no children, AND totally reliant on parent for financial support
Above 24 is generally NOT eligible (limited exceptions for severe disability).
Draft a 500-600 word Dependent Child Visa strategy for [CHILD_NAME] (age [CHILD_AGE]) child of [PARENT_NAME] ([PARENT_STATUS]) currently in [CHILD_LOCATION]. Dependency basis: [DEPENDENCY_BASIS].
§1 — STATUTORY FRAMEWORK (80-100 words)
F2.10 — Dependent child definition:
"A dependent child is a single child of any age of the principal applicant or principal applicant's partner who:
(a) has no children of their own; and
(b) is totally or substantially reliant on the principal applicant or the principal applicant's partner for financial support, whether they are living with them or not."
Plus age cap: must be under 25 at time of decision (24 years 364 days). If 18+, also single + no children + reliant.
§2 — AGE-BASED ANALYSIS (130-160 words)
For [CHILD_NAME] age [CHILD_AGE]:
If under 18:
• Dependency presumed; minimal evidence beyond birth certificate + parent's status + custody clearance from other parent (if applicable)
• Custody / consent: if parents separated, the non-NZ parent must consent in writing OR provide court order granting [PARENT_NAME] sole custody / authority to relocate
If 18-20:
• Must be unmarried + no de facto partner + no children of own
• Must be totally or substantially financially reliant on [PARENT_NAME]
• Studying full-time: strong evidence (enrolment, fee receipts, transcripts)
• Living with [PARENT_NAME] OR being supported financially while living elsewhere
• Bank statements showing parent's funds going to child + child has no independent income
If 21-24:
• Higher bar: TOTAL financial reliance (not "substantial")
• Continuous dependence since under 18 — gap of independence breaks the chain
• Unmarried + no children
• Continuous full-time study or inability to work due to recognised condition
If [CHILD_AGE] is 25+: ineligible under F2; consider other family streams or refusal-recovery options.
§3 — DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE (180-220 words)
A. Relationship to parent:
• Birth certificate naming [PARENT_NAME] as parent
• If adopted: adoption order recognised in NZ (Adoption (Intercountry) Act 1997 if cross-border, Hague Convention compliant)
• DNA test if birth certificate questioned (delayed-issued Indian certificates may trigger this)
B. Parent's status:
• [PARENT_NAME]'s NZ citizenship certificate / passport, OR
• Current resident visa label + valid passport
• Confirmation [PARENT_NAME] meets character + sponsorship requirements
C. Single status (for 18+):
• Statutory declaration from [CHILD_NAME] confirming not married, not in de facto relationship, no children
• Confirmation no marriage / civil union registered (for India: marriage registration certificate would surface this)
D. Dependency (for 18+):
• [PARENT_NAME]'s bank statements showing transfers / support to [CHILD_NAME]
• [CHILD_NAME]'s bank statements showing no independent income source
• Education enrolment + fees paid by [PARENT_NAME]
• Living arrangements (with parent or supported by parent)
• Tax records showing no income for [CHILD_NAME] (or limited part-time only)
E. Custody / consent (under 16):
• Other parent's notarised consent
• Court custody order if sole custody
• Death certificate if other parent deceased
§4 — APPLICATION PACKAGE (100-130 words)
• INZ 1000 — Residence Application (if resident pathway via F2)
• OR INZ 1017 — Visitor / Temporary Family Visa (if temporary entry)
• Birth certificate (apostilled / authenticated)
• Parent's NZ status documents
• Dependency evidence (Sections A-E)
• Custody consent (if under 16)
• Passport + 2 photos
• Medical certificate (chest x-ray for India + countries with TB; general medical may apply)
• Police certificate (if 17+ at time of application)
• Application fee NZD ~1,200-2,750 depending on stream
• Migrant Levy (residence stream)
• IHL (NZD 100 for 12+ month stays)
§5 — PRIOR-DECLARATION TRAP (80-100 words)
If [PRIOR_DECLARATION] = "No" or "Unsure":
RED FLAG. NZ has parallel concept to Canadian R117(9)(d) — if [PARENT_NAME] did not declare [CHILD_NAME] in any prior NZ immigration application (e.g. their own residence application), there is risk of:
• Misrepresentation finding under Immigration Act 2009 s.158 — character / misrepresentation grounds
• Possible 5-year prohibition on sponsorship
• Officer scrutiny of why child was not declared
Investigate FIRST. If undeclared, prepare a candid explanation + character submission BEFORE filing.
§6 — TIMELINE + OUTCOMES (40-60 words)
• Processing: 9-12 months typical (residence stream)
• If granted residence: child gets resident visa with same rights as parent
• If under 18 + temporary visa stream: visitor visa issued matching parent's NZ situation
• Path to citizenship: 5 years residence + meeting requirements (Citizenship Act 1977 s.8)
— DRAFT only. Licensed Immigration Adviser (IAA-licensed) or NZ lawyer review required. Unlicensed advice is a criminal offence under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007.Unlock the vault to see the full prompt